RHEMA From Heaven

MAKE NO ROOM FOR OFFENCES

Acts 24:16 “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men.”

Life is not without offences, irrespective of who you are as long as you still exist on earth, offence will come to you. It is impossible to go through life without being offended. Though offence do come, how we handle it influences the end result of the offence.

To be offended means to be hurt or angry because of a wrong against you. You see, anytime you carry hurt in your heart because of something done to you, you are offended

Jesus had this to say about how we should handle offence. Luke 17:3-4,”Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. Against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” You see offences are not to be kept but rebuked (reconciled) and forgiven.

We live in a generation where retaliation is common. They have this to say when offended: “I’m not talking to him anymore”: they rain insults, they fight or write off a brother or sister. But that shouldn’t be your stand as a Christian. Although it is “natural” for people to pay back for an offense, Christians are different.

Every offence not properly handled will give room for enmity and many times open doors for the devil. Prolonged offences can also birth bitterness which strengthens sickness. (Hebrews 12:15)

Never act carnally to habour an offence or evil in your heart. Let love lead?

Read: Proverbs 19:11

STUDY TO SHOW YOURSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD.

2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”

Studying is an important factor in our walk with God. You see, you can’t be a good Christian if your “head” is not good. Because just like your spirit, your head must be flooded with the truth of the Gospel.

Anytime you study, you devote your time and attention to gaining knowledge of a particular subject matter. It also involves a detailed investigation and analysis of a subject or situation.

Thus, as a Christian studying will involve devoting your time to understand the things of God, the principles of the kingdom of God, and everything that will enhance your walk with God.

You see, until you give yourself to rigorous and consistent study, you will always walk with God at a shallow level. You have to go deep in study if you want to present yourself to God in the right and appropriate manner.

There are many folks today who are only running on the fuel of zeal. In order words, what keeps them going is zeal, passion, enthusiasm but they have no knowledge. Such people have the tendency to fall off when their zeal dwindles.

Another reason, why you have to study as a Christian is for you to be able to accurately handle and skillfully teach the word of truth. You see, the truth you know benefits no one, until you let it loose by teaching others.

God is interested in Christians who are studios. Don’t rush reading God’s word. Give time to studying God’s word in context. Remember that, when you don’t study, you will become insignificant with the passage of time.

Read: Ezra 7: 1-10

DESIRE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

1 Corinthians 14:1 “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy“.

One of the ways to receive the gifts of the spirit is through “desires”. That is why the Bible admonishes Christians to desire spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are special endowment from the Holy Spirit that helps us to minister to the Lord and also to the needs of others. In fact, the Bible says spiritual gifts are given to benefit the body of Christ.

You see, it is by the release of these gifts that our world can be blessed and the body of Christ will also stand in its glory.

For instance with the gifts of healing and special faith, sickness will be healed, people can also be imparted to overturn adverse situations. Also, the gift of word of knowledge and word of wisdom will help us solve problems and guide us in decision making.

You see, the Church will be a glorious and a beautiful place to be when all these gifts are working in the lives of Christians.

But this can only happen when we redirect our desires towards spiritual gifts. Don’t let material things dominate your desires. Inasmuch as material things are helpful, the benefits of spiritual gifts outweighs every material thing you can ever have.

Direct your strong feeling of wanting to have something towards spiritual gifts. God is ready to meet your desire for spiritual gifts.

Read: 1Corinthians 12:1-11

EXERCISE SELF-CONTROL

1 Corinthians 9:27 “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway”

Self-control is the nature of the recreated human spirit. See Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.“

Meaning that as a born again Christian, you have what it takes to put your emotions, and the flesh under control.

Even though this is a great departure from the “way of life” of the old nature, that is not to say it is impossible to be done. Self-control is part of the new life we have as Christians but we must deploy it to make it vital.

Self-control is having rule over your spirit. One author defines self-control as self-restraint, slow to react, and keeping ones emotions, feelings and behaviour within biblically accepted confines. Thus, anytime you deploy the virtue of self-control you don’t do things anyhow.

By self-control you are able to put your appetite or desire under check. You also get to know how to handle issues so that you don’t result to violence.

Although most people limit their understanding of self-control to “the control of sexual desires”. Self-control is broader than that.

It has to do with how you put your “human nature” under control so that you don’t do stuffs that are inconsistent with the word of God.

Don’t think that self-control is not possible. As a matter of fact, the ability to exercise self-control is in you as a Christian. Put it to work and you will stand out among many.

Read: Proverbs 25:28

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU.

Jeremiah 29:11 that “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end“.

No one is a mistake or a biological error. You see, you are a product of God. There was a divine plan on you before you arrived on earth. In Jeremiah 29:11, the Bible says that “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end“.

You must understand that, heaven had an agenda and a plan for your life before you were born. Thus, your success in life depends on your knowledge of this plan. The Bible talks of Jesus the Savior of the world, the son of God and how he sort for the plan of God for his life and to fulfill it. “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God“. (Hebrews 10:7)

The truth is that, if even the son of God had to follow God’s plan before he could make impact in the world, then you can’t make it in life outside God’s plan.

Knowing the plan of God for your life and following it brings success because God only provides for the plans and vision he gives you and not the ones you went to shop for yourself. If you want to succeed in life, follow God’s plan for your life and not what is trending in town.

When your plan is from God, it brings you to a successful end.

Solomon in his wisdom said “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him” (Ecclesiastes 3:14).

You must learn to subject your plans and visions to that of God. Yours might be good but God who is all knowing has the best of all plans.

It is time to stop resisting the plans of God for your life and embrace it wholeheartedly irrespective of the challenges it may come with.

From today, endeavor to yield to God’s plan for your life.

Read: Isaiah 55:9

KEEP YOUR HEART WITH ALL DILIGENCE

Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life”

The heart is one important thing that every Christian must take serious. By the heart, we are not referring to the biological heart with its valves, atria and ventricles. The heart referred to here is the human spirit, which is your inner man. This is what the epistles refer to as the “man on the inside”.

Although most people have mastered the art of mounting guard on the material things they have in life, they can’t be assured of success if the heart which is the most important is left out. The Bible says all the issues of life or the springs of life comes from the heart. This is what makes the heart a precious thing to keep, or guard with great effort.

For instance, whether fear, love, faith, hatred, or lust, it all flows out of the heart. Matthew 12:34 says “…For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”. Thus, keeping your heart means that, you do everything possible to make your heart remain in a perfect state or condition. Also mounting guard on your heart means that you don’t allow your heart to go astray or wander in wrong stuffs. You see, you must learn to guard your heart against all improper affections. Left to itself, the heart of man will wander in carnal things.

Never forget that the state of your heart determines your moral character. The intention of your actions will always correspond to the dispositions that prevail within. On whatever side the weight of inclination hangs, it will draw the practice after it. Independent of all actions, it is the state of the heart itself which forms our character in the sight of God.

Take note of this truth: “you are known before the Lord by your heart and not only by your act”.

To effectively keep your heart on and in the right things, consistently study and mediate on God’s word since it is the only way to mount guard over your heart and never allow ideas and opinions which are inconsistent with the word of God into your heart. In fact, ignore them as they come.

Read: Psalm 17:3

CHOOSE THE RIGHT ATMOSPHERE

Isaiah 2:3 “And many people shall go and say, come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths…”

Every child of God has been called into a life of Glory and infinite success. However, there are some who wouldn’t enjoy this provision from God because they subject themselves to a “God free” atmosphere. In fact, when you find yourself daily, regularly, or occasionally in the wrong atmosphere, you can be opened to satanic infiltration in disguise. No wonder we see folks failing and non -performing in Church. Strange!

You see, you can subscribe unto a right atmosphere or a wrong one. The atmosphere you subscribe to or allow will determine a lot of things about your life today and tomorrow. Folks who work their way to a right atmosphere never leave without a blessing. In this era, the right atmosphere matters a lot.

We are living in times that devils and demons dominate some atmospheres just to ruin destinies. Talk of the pups, beer bars, night clubs, casino centers, wild parties and the like, these are places the enemy can pollute, influence, and even possess people. This is why you must carefully choose the atmosphere you want to find yourself.

For instance, to see a Church Service or a Christian gathering and still choose to attend a “social event” will rob you of a divine opportunity you may NEVER GET AGAIN. No matter your excuses, you can’t substitute an “anointed service” to eating, drinking and socialization event. Whether you like it or not, there are places saturated with the power of God and there are places saturated with demonic and satanic forces.

Many Christians are failing to well because they allow themselves into everyplace or allow everyone or “everyplace” to come to them. Never make a move into a wrong atmosphere or environment. Rather, cultivate and lead yourself to the right places and atmosphere.

Read: Isaiah 2:3

MAKE GOOD USE OF OPPORTUNITIES

Ephesians 5:16-17 “Make the most of every opportunity in these evils”. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is”

One fact of life you must not forget is that irrespective of who you are opportunities will come your way. There are some great and God sent opportunities that you must seize when they come your way. Sometimes that is the way God will use to bless you.

Nonetheless whether you will make a good use of this is a matter of choice. Every opportunity gives you a good chance for advancement or a favourable connection to a person or situation. All you have to do is to capitalize on the opportunity to make a giant move in life.

To, many people have not mastered the art of making good use of most opportunities that they have in life. Folks who live like that will never amount to anything.

Truth be told, many opportunities are like a blessing in disguise. You need wisdom to know that some things and some people in your life today are pure opportunities. Your “pastor” may be an opportunity, your “Church” may be an opportunity, a “friend” may be an opportunity. In fact, this “message” may be an opportunity.

Seize your moment before it gets late. Know that, taking opportunities for granted is not a wise move. Manage both your spiritual and social relationships wisely. Don’t allow the spirit of “abuse” and disregard.

Many folks who have failed and are still failing have been victims of “mishandling” opportunities. Pray for the Lord to open your eyes to see both divine and natural opportunities in your life.

Read: Ephesians 5:17-18

ALLOW THE WORD TO WORK IN YOUR LIFE

Hebrews 4:2 “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preach did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it”

The power of God’s word can’t be denied. The Bible says God upholds all things by the power of his word, and also created the world by his word. See Hebrews 1:3 “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high”.

So attributing excellence and power as characteristics of the word of God is nothing but the truth.

The Bible also talks about God’s word not being void of power but always sent to accomplish a purpose. Isaiah 55:11 says “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it”.

Nonetheless, for God’s word to produce results in your life, you must receive it and believe it. In other words, you must be ready to take the route the word brings.

For God’s word to benefit you, you must allow the word to “order” your life. God’s word needs your cooperation before it can get you to your desired destination. You must soften your heart and humble yourself to live it.

You see, until you practice or engage God’s word in your life, you can’t have a fruitful life. Things don’t get better because you can quote a memory verse. Things fall in place because you know, understand and obey the word. That is, you put your faith in the word.

In this generation where people say “let us face reality” at the expense of obeying the word, you would be considered a fanatic when you are “word ruled”, “word governed” and “word based”. But you see, when people’s opinion contradicts the word it is better you go with the word than the opinion of men.

Be a Christian who will put God’s word first in all you do. That is how to make God’s word produce results in your life.

Read: Hebrews 4:2

WORK FOR GOD

John 9:4 “I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work”

There is nothing much more rewarding in this world like working for the Lord. The Bible says we must always abound in the work of God. See 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

You see, every Christian has been called to work for God. This is a general call for all Christians. In fact, you don’t need any spectacular encounter with an angel before you can work for God. All you need is a teaching that will equip you to function and your absolute faithfulness. In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul admonished Timothy, his beloved son in the Lord to work for God and also commit the same mandate to faith men who will do same. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2).

It is important to know that, your pastor, teacher, prophet, apostle and evangelist puts you in the right frame so that you can do the work of God. The Bible says they perfect or equip the believers to work for God. Ephesians 4:12 says “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”.

You see, every Christian has a primary call to reach out to the unsaved world. Jesus said, “Go and preach to every creature”. See Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”. You have a work to do as a believer. Don’t be a pill pew warmer in Church. Do everything possible to do God’s work.

Just like any other work, give your time, energy and engage all your skills to work for the Lord. It is rewarding than any other work. In fact, it comes with a blessing.

Read: John 9:4